Means for withdrawing yarn from yarn packages



Nov. 8, 1966 cs. FRANZEN 3,284,024

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 ZZz evnw": A) $4. 9

G. FRANZEN 3,284,024

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Nov. 8, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed Sept. 23, 1963 Nov. 8, 1966 3,284,024

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARNFROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23. 1963 G. FRANZEN 9 Sheets-Sheet 15 Inventor:

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23. 1963 G. FRANZEN Noy. 8, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. FRANZEN Nov. 8, 1966 MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23. 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 8, 1966 e. FRANZEN 3,284,024

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 8, 1966 G. FRANZEN 3,284,024

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 y F l lm emar:

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23, 1963 G. FRANZEN Nov. 8, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Im/em0r: M 7 w wv NOV. 8, 1966 3, EN 3,284,024

MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Filed Sept. 23, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 United States Patent 3,284,024 MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING YARN FROM YARN PACKAGES Gustav Franzen, 91 Krefelderstrasse, Neersen, Germany Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,619 Claims priority, application Germany, Feb. 4, 1963, V 23,603; Aug. 29, 1963, N 23,668 23 Claims. (Cl. 242128) The present invention relates to a draw-off aid for tkliiedoverhead withdrawal of yarn from packages of all Conventional draw-off aids for the overhead withdrawal of yarn from packages do not function very satisfactorily. Primarily this is due to the fact that the draw-off aids have a diameter which is adapted to the diameter of the dull package. Trouble therefore arises, particularly in the form of a fluctuating tension in the running yarn, when the diameter of the package begins substantially to diminish. In order to overcome this difliculty it has already been proposed to use rotating draw-off aids permitting the yarn to drop consecutively into different positions in which the yarn is deflected on the periphery of circles having diameters con-forming with the decreasing diameter of the package.

However, when simultaneously withdrawing yarn from two or three packages superimposed on a common spindle, as required for instance for the production of multiple twist yarns, rotating draw-off aids do not permit the yarn running off a lower or rear package (on the spindle axis) to be guided past the upper or forward package (likewise related to the spindle axis) without touching the sides of said package.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a draw-oil aid which will automatically adapt itself to the diminishing diameter of the package from which the yarn is withdrawn, and which can also be used for safely guiding the yarn clear of the sides of other packages mounted on the same spindle.

According to the invention the problem is solved by providing .a flexibly yielding disc which is adapted to be mounted on the package spindle, and which is elastically deformable by the tension of the yarn sliding over its edge.

Preferably the diameter of the yielding disc should exceed the greatest diameter of the package or packages from which yarn is withdrawn.

The tension of the yarn during withdrawal applies a radial inwardly directed thrust to the edge of the disc. This thrust deforms and deflects the proposed flexible disc until the reactive elastic resistance to deformation of the disc balances the radial thrust of the yarn. The yarn thus runs over the edge of the disc maintaining substantially constant tension.

When several packages are mounted on a common spindle the margin of the disc which is elastically deformed by the running yarn is deflected over the edge of the package above. At the same time the projecting rim of the disc controls the tension of the running yarn in the above described manner.

The disc may consist of plastic, of animal skin, particularly parchment, paper, for instance glazed paper, or of other suitable materials which need not here all be listed. Any materials are suitable provided they have the properties needed, particularly the required degree of elastic flexibility.

For further assisting a clean and unimpeded withdrawal of the yarn it may be advisable to mount the disc loosely on the spindle in a manner permitting the disc to revolve with the yarn.

Moreover, it may sometimes be useful to provide the 3,284,024 Patented Nov. 8, 1966 periphery of the disc with :a serration. This may consist of a major number of lobes or teeth or possibly a single tooth or a notch may be sufficient. The yarn can then run through the gap: between two neighboring teeth and entrain the disc as it travels round the package. This feature is particularly advantageous for withdrawing yarn :from multiply wound packages because the running yarns will then be held together by the serration.

When the package is nearly exhausted irregularities sometimes occur in the manner the yarn is guided. To obviate such occurrences the invention proposes to pro vide an axially loosely mounted disc of smaller diameter than that of the disc forming the principal draw-off aid. The auxiliary disc should be convexly shaped, the convex side of the auxiliary disc resting on the top of the package. This auxiliary disc will then guide the yarn to the withdrawing sheave and prevent it from snarling around the tubular core of the package.

Since the disc forming the draw-off aid must be elastic, there is some risk of the disc being deflected from the horizontal in the downward direction. According to the invention this possibility can be eliminated by providing mechanical support for the disc. This may have the form of a ring which supports the peripheral edge of the disc. Alternatively, a spider may be provided and preferably loosely mounted on the spindle holding the package.

Diverse embodiments of the invention are illustratively shown in the drawings, each of the drawings being an elevational section of the package and of the device upon which the package is mounted.

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation showing a device with a conical package;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of a modified device with two conical co-axial packages and showing a preferred form of disc.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to FIG. 2 each showing a d-illerent modified form of disc.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation of discs according to the invention applied to a three-high package device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation of a'fo-urhigh package device with somewhat modified discs.

'FIG. 8 is a sectional elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1 and having an auxiliary disc.

FIG. 9 is a plan view which shows a spider for use with the auxiliary disc of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the modified disc of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an elevation, partly in section which illustrates a two-high package spindle incorporating auxiliary discs and supports therefor.

FIG. 1 shows a cone 1 fnom which the yarn is withdrawn over top, for instance into the hollow interior 31 of a double twist spindle.

According to the invention there is provided an elastic disc 3 made of plastic, animal skin, paper or the like. The edge of the disc at 4 is upwardly deflected by the tension of the running yarn 2, the degree of deflection being determined by the point at which the inward radial thrust of the yarn is balanced by the reactive elastic resistance of the disc 3. Consequently the tension of the running yarn 2 will be continuously maintained at the same level, particularly in virtue of the fact that with decreasing package diameter point 4 will travel inwards. Consequently the tension which in conventional draw-off aids of constant diameter or of stepped diameter tends to change will be automatically kept in balance.

The disc 3 has a central hole permitting it to be mounted on the hollow spindle 31 when, as illustrated in FIG. 1, this is a double twist spindle. In other machines the disc is correspondingly mounted on the package spindle or peg. Conveniently the disc has a stiffening reinforcement surrounding its cent-re hole and the reinforcement may naturally be integral with the disc. Alternatively the reinforcement may consist of a special ring cemented to the disc or it may consist of two loose rings 5 between which the disc is tightly held. Moreover, several discs of smaller diameter than disc 3 may be placed on the latte-r and the reinforcing discs may all have the same or different diameters. The diameter of disc 3 should exceed the greatest diameter of the package at 6. For modifying the effect of the disc 3 two or more similar dis-cs may be superimposed.

Whereas the package in FIG. 1 is a cone, the proposed disc 3 may also be used for unwinding a cheese. In either case the presence of the disc effectively prevents the running yarn 2 from being dragged over the edge 7 of the package. The yarn cannot therefore become caught in the upper layers of yarn near the edge of the package and the tension of the running yarn cannot be affected by changes in friction of the yarn as it rubs on the peripheral surface of the package, because the ring holds the yarn clear of the package.

The proposed device is particularly effective and useful when unwinding yarn from two or more packages on a common spindle. FIG. 2 shows two packages 8 and 9 mounted on one spindle. The disc 3 according to the invention is interposed between the packages and its edge is deflected as indicated at 4 by the yarn unwinding from the lower of the two packages. As the diameter of package 8 decreases, the edge of the disc 3 curls over more and more until it is finally deflected into contact with the bottom edge 10 of package 9. This effectively prevents the yarn 2 from being dragged over the edge of package 9. Conveniently a disc 3 would also be provided for guiding the yarn unwinding from package 9, as illustrated in FIG. 1, but for the sake of clarity this is not specially shown in FIG. 2.

It may be advisable to construct the discs 3 in such a Way that their thickness uniformly decreases from the centre to the periphery. The mechanical rigidity and stability of the disc in region 11 will thus be improved, whereas in region 12 the disc will be particularly flexible, elastic and yielding.

Alternatively, the edge of such a disc 3 may be provided with a reinforcement, as illustrated at 13 in FIG. 3. Whilst preserving the required elasticity of the disc in the marginal region the edge itself is rendered more resistant and any danger of the yarn cutting the edge of the disc is eliminated. Otherwise this embodiment is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 substantially corresponds to FIG. 2, but the edge of the disc 3 is here slightly dished, as indicated at 14.

In a general form of construction which agrees with that of the previous embodiments, FIG. 5 illustrates a disc Which is mechanically reinforced by the provision of concentric corrugations 15. As indicated at 16 the corrugations also serve for centering the tubular core 17 of the upper package 9 as Well as the core 18 of the bottom package. The two cores 17 and 18 can thus be slightly telescoped and the overall height of the assembly reduced. The arrangement functions in exactly the same way as described by reference to the other illustrations.

FIG. 6 exemplifies the application of the proposed draw-off aid in a three-high assembly of packages for a double twist spindle, suitable for instance for unwinding from flat cheeses 19, 20 and 21 for doubling three yarns. Discs 3 are intenposed between the several packages, the yarns riding over the disc edges and deflecting them upwards as indicated at points 4. FIG. 7 is a fourhigh assembly of cross-wound cones 22, 23, 24, 25 as required for multiple twist spindles, creels, looms and like textile machines. Discs 3 are interposed between each of the packages. The discs have reinforced centres 26 which also serve for centering the core of the next package above, and which similarly serve for centering the core of the package underneath.

FIG. 7 exemplifies an arrangement in which the pack ages are mounted on a central tube or hollow peg 27 in a manner which would otherwise be impossible. The packages are supported by the disc reinforcements 26 and held in position by an overhead spring 28 and a push-on and turn cap 29, 30. An arrangement of such a kind may be used for instance for creels, battery frames and the like. The provision of the discs 3 permits overend yarn withdrawal from the several cones 22 to 25 to proceed cleanly and smoothly. In cases in which, as in FIG. 7, it is necessary to withdraw yarn from four packages, this could hitherto not be done otherwise than over rollers, or the several packages had to be mounted side by side, an arrangement which requires a particularly large amount of space. It will be readily understood that the arrangement exemplified in FIG. 7 is not limited to a four-high spindle and that more packages can be readily added if necessary.

It will also be understood that an arrangement of the kind illustrated in FIG. 7 can be assembled outside the machine and then mounted in the machine as a complete unit. The duration of stoppages is thus reduced and the operation of the machine generally facilitated.

For further assisting a smooth withdrawal of the yarn the arrangement may be modified as illustrated in FIG. 8. As in the other described embodiments for double twist spindles the yarn 102 is drawn 01f the package 101 and taken through the hollow spindle 103. A flexible yielding disc 104 is provided as a draw-0E? aid, the pe riphery of the disc being elastically deformable by the yarn running over the edge. The disc is loosely mounted on the spindle and is therefore capable of being rotatably entrained by the yarn 102. Consequently, Whenever the deforming disc offers the yarn a slightly increased resistance this is easily compensated by the disc being temporarily rotatably entrained. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the disc is formed with an undulating peripheral serration. The undulation has the advantage in double wound packages that the doubled yarn will run through a valley 105 and that the two threads will thus be held together until they enter the hollow spindle 103. Naturally the provision of a single notch or undulation may sometimes be suflicient.

When the package 101 has been nearly completely exhausted trouble may arise because the yarn 102 then un- Winds from a very small diameter, causing considerable deformation of the margin of the disc 104. In this stage it is therefore possible for the yarn to snarl around the core 106 of the package. In order to prevent this kind of trouble and to ensure that the yarn will run cleanly over the edge of the disc 104 an auxiliary disc 107 is loosely mounted on the spindle 103. This auxiliary disc 107 has a convex underside which bears on the top of the package 101. This disc 107 which may likewise participate in the rotary motion of the yarn guides the yarn cleanly on to the principal disc 104.

A disc of the proposed kind must be elastically flexible but it must not be defiectable downwards beyond the horizontal because kinks may then form, in which the yarn may get caught, and other troubles may also arise. As has been previously described the central part of the disc as far as to a suitable radial distance from the elastically flexible margin may be provided with a reinforcement for instance in the form of corrugations, thickening of the gauge of the material, and so forth. However, it has been found that sometimes these precautions are not yet sufiicient. In a further development of the invention it is therefore proposed to provide mechani cal support for the disc. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8 support is provided by a spider 108 as specially shown in FIG. 9. The hub 109 of the spider 108 permits the latter likewise to be loosely threaded on to the spindle 103. The spider is therefore also capable of being entrained by the rotating yarn. The result of the provision of a spider of the kind shown in FIG. 9 in conjunction with a serrated disc according to FIG. 10 will be readily understood by reference to FIG. 8. The yarn 102 deflects the edge of disc 104 and runs through a valley 105 between two neighbouring lobes of the undulation. At the same time the yarn will travel upwards between two arms of the spider 108. The disc 104 as well as the spider 108 participate in the rotation of the unwinding yarn.

FIG. 11 is a two-high arrangement comprising a lower cone 110 and an upper cone 111. A disc 112 is provided as a draw-oif aid for the yarn withdrawn from the lower cone. In order to prevent the edge of this disc from being downwardly deflected a ring 113 is provided which is attached by radial stays 114 to the upper part 115 of the external protective cage. 116 is the lower part of the protective cage upon which the upper part 115 rests. In this arrangement it is likewise advisable to provide auxiliary discs 11W.

The drawing clearly shows that the yarn 117 unwind-.

ing from the lower cone 110 runs through the gap between ring 113 and the peripheral edge of disc 112. It is found in practice that the tension of the two yarns withdrawn from cone 111 and cone 116 is substantially the same.

Quite generally it should be noted that it is advisable for a particular machine to keep available a set of discs which produce different degrees of tension and friction. These discs should differ in gauge and possibly also in external shape. The discs may be diiferently marked or coloured to permit the magnitude of their effect on the yarn to be readily recognised. The machine minder need then merely to be told to use a disc of a particular colour or bearing a particular identifying mark for a given operation. Supervision is also facilitated if the use of the appropriate disc can be immediately recognised by its colour.

If necessary either one or both sides of the discs may be provided with a conducting coating, for instance by metallisation, for dissipating static electrical charges which may otherwise build up by the friction. For forming such a coating the metal spraying technique is particularly convenient. For example, the discs may be provided with a graphite coating or alternatively metal or graphite may be incorporated in the material of which the discs are made.

What I claim is:

1. A device for supporting a yarn package for the overend withdrawal of yarn from said package comprising an elastically yielding disc arranged so that the margin of the disc is deformable by the tension of the yarn running across the periphery of said disc.

2. A device according to claim 1, comprising a spindle and in which the said disc is loosely mounted on said spindle so as to be capable of being rotated by the rota tional movement of the running yarn.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which the said disc is of a synthetic plastic material.

4. A device according to claim 1, in which the said disc is of animal skin.

5. A device according to claim 4, in which the said disc is of parchment.

6. A device according to claim 1, in which the said disc is of paper, particularly glazed paper.

7. A device according to claim 1, in which the said disc has a central hole and is reinforced in the region of its said hole.

8. A device according to claim 1, in which the said disc comprises a central reinforcement integral with the disc.

9. A device according to claim 1, in which the disc comprises a central reinforcing ring adhesively attached thereto.

10. A device according to claim 1, comprising two loose rings clamping the said disc between them.

11. A device for the withdrawal overend of yarn from packages of yarn comprising a spindle upon which a plurality of yarn packages may be arranged in co-axial relationship, and at least one flexible yielding disc mounted on said spindle in such a position that yarn coming from a said package can pass across the periphery of said disc, said disc being provided with a reinforcing ring arranged to support the end of a tubular core of the package above, the margin of said disc being elastically deformable by the tension of the yarn running across the periphery of the disc.

12. A device according to claim 1 in which the thickness of the said disc decreases radially outwards.

13. A device according to claim 1 in which the said disc is provided with corrugations for increasing its mechanical strength.

14. A device according to claim 1 in which the margin of the said disc is slightly upwardly dished.

15. A device according to claim 1 comprising mechanical support means for the said disc.

16. A device according to claim 1 comprising a ring for supporting the peripheral edge of the disc.

17. A device according to claim 1, in which the said disc is made of a synthetic plastic and has a coating on at least one side of a material selected from the group consisting of metal and graphite.

18. A device according to claim 1, in which the said disc is made of a synthetic plastic and wherein there is incorporated a material selected from the group consisting of metal and graphite.

19. A device according to claim 1 and wherein a plurality of said discs of different characteristics are provided and which can be used selectively for producing different frictional braking effects.

20. A device according to claim 19 in which the said discs are differently colored so as to be identifiable inter se.

21. A spindle device for the overend withdrawal of yarn from a package of yarn and comprising a flexible yielding disc mounted on the spindle in such manner that the margin of the disc is deflectable elastically by the tension of the yarn running across the periperiphery of said disc and comprising an auxiliary disc mounted on the said spindle and of smaller diameter than that of the first said disc, said auxiliary disc having a curved face arranged to guide the running yarn to the first said disc when the package is nearly unwound.

22. The method of unwinding yarn from a yarn package on a spindle or peg and withdrawing the said yarn overend in relation to the said package, which consists in causing the yarn coming from the package to pass across the periphery of a flexible yielding disc mounted on the package spindle or peg so that the tension of the yarn elastically deflects the margin of the said disc.

23. The method according to claim 22 in which the diameter of the said flexibly yielding disc exceeds the maximum diameter of the package from which the yarn is unwound.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,070,325 12/1962 Porter 242128 STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner.

MERVIN STEIN, Examiner.

L. D. CHRISTIAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A YARN PACKAGE FOR THE OVEREND WITHDRAWAL OF YARN FROM SAID PACKAGE COMPRISING AN ELASTICALLY YIELDING DISC ARRANGED SO THAT THE MARGIN OF THE DISC IS DEFORMABLE BY THE TENSION OF THE YARN RUNNING ACROSS THE PERIPHERY OF SAID DISC. 